VIDEO: Firefighter taken to hospital tackling huge Peak District blaze

George Torr, Local Democracy Reporter

Around 12 fire engines are currently tackling a large blaze on moorland in the Peak District which was started by a disposable barbecue.

Several crews from Derbyshire and Sheffield fire stations are currently on the scene on Derwent Lane near Lady Bower Reservoir.

An eye-witness said he saw several fire engines, a specialist unimog vehicle and a helicopter.

A spokesman from Edale Mountain Rescue said: “One of the all-terrain vehicles had been involved in an accident, causing it to over-turn trapping one of the members on board under the vehicle.

“With reports of the person being unconscious, the lack of reliable communications in that area of the Upper Derwent and the distance to reach the site, a Coastguard SAR helicopter was requested to assist.

“The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was also sent to scene. Fortunately the incident was not in the bottom of the steep valley and the Air Ambulance was able to land near, allowing us to stand down the Coastguard helicopter that had just arrived. “After treatment by the crew, the patient was carried to the helicopter by personnel at site, team members remained nearby in case they were required. The patient was then flown to the Northern General Hopsital in Sheffield.”

Fire crews off Derwent Lane near Lady Bower Reservoir

A spokesman from Lady Bower Reservoir warned of the dangers of disposable barbecues.

“This has become a large scale operation involving a number of fire services and the Peak Park and The National Trust.

“Even sadder to say is that this fire was completely preventable. It was started by a disposable barbecue.

“We cannot emphasise enough the dangers of using barbecues in this weather in such dry locations. The fire started out small and within a couple of hours was covering thousands of square metres of land.

All access roads up to the reservoir are closed off. The A57 Snake Pass road is still open.

Crews from Hathersage, Matlock, Glossop, New Mills, Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Chesterfield and Rivelin stations are on site.